For the primary time since 1937, a Chinese language guy competed in the primary draw of the French Open — and, in truth, a complete of 3 did, all enjoying opening-round suits on Monday.
The primary of the groundbreaking team in motion at the purple clay of the Grand Slam match at Roland Garros was once Shang Juncheng, who made it into the sector by way of qualifying and confronted Juan Pablo Varillas of Peru on Courtroom 5.
With some Chinese language flags waving within the stands and chants of strengthen from spectators, Shang grabbed a two-set lead on the outset. However it was once Varillas who emerged with a 4-6, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 comeback victory after just about 3 1/2 hours.
The following flip went to Wu Yibing, who took on No. 19 seed Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain over on Courtroom 12. Bautista Agut picked up the win by means of the moderately easy ranking of 7-6 (4), 6-1, 6-1.
Later within the day, again on Courtroom 5, Zhang Zhizhen gave China its first guy in the second one around on the French Open since Kho Sin-Kie were given to the 3rd around 77 years in the past. Zhang complex when his opponent, Dusan Lajovic of Serbia, stopped enjoying as a result of a abdomen virus whilst trailing 6-1, 4-1.
“That’s moderately particular,” stated Zhang, a 26-year-old from Shanghai who’s ranked 71st.
“I imply, we’ve got such a lot of (other people) looking forward to us to get the primary win,” Zhang stated. “Simply step (by means of) step, after which we will be able to get numerous wins.”
He was once the primary of the trio who performed Monday to make a Grand Slam step forward, showing at Wimbledon two years in the past. In 2022, he and Wu each participated within the U.S. Open, with Wu attending to the 3rd around there. In January, Zhang, Wu and Shang all have been within the box on the Australian Open; Shang reached the second one around.
Some other giant second got here in February, when Wu become the primary Chinese language participant to win an ATP Excursion identify, beating John Isner within the ultimate of the Dallas Open.
Zhang stated he hopes he and his countrymen can one day reach this kind of luck Chinese language ladies have amassed in tennis.
That comes with World Tennis Corridor of Status member Li Na, who gained titles on the French Open in 2011 and the Australian Open in 2014. Peng Shuai gained two Grand Slam trophies in doubles and reached No. 1 in the ones WTA scores; she additionally made it to the U.S. Open semifinals in singles. Peng dropped out of public view after making sexual attack accusations in opposition to a high-ranking Chinese language executive legit in 2021. The WTA introduced quickly after that it could droop all of its tournaments in China, a boycott that was once lifted final month.